Zelenskiy criticizes Poland, Hungary and Slovakia for their blockade of Ukrainian grain imports.
(Photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire)
Brussels, Washington, Kyiv The EU Commission ends the controversial trade restrictions on Ukrainian grain products – and is then publicly snubbed by several member states. Poland, Hungary and Slovakia announced on Friday evening that they wanted to stick to import bans on certain Ukrainian agricultural products even without Brussels’ approval.
Germany and other EU countries had previously criticized this behavior as lacking solidarity. Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who is currently in the election campaign and is counting on a lot of votes from EU critics, sought open confrontation with Brussels on Friday evening: “Because it is in the interests of Polish farmers,” his government will accept the European Commission’s order on the Ukrainian one Don’t follow grains.
In doing so, he made good on the threat he had made weeks ago, even though the Brussels authority had repeatedly emphasized that it was responsible for trade policy in the EU. A new parliament will be elected in Poland on October 15th, and the dispute over Ukrainian goods has become an election campaign issue there.
The previous restrictions had allowed the eastern EU members Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria to restrict the free trade of products such as wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflowers from Ukraine on their markets. Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) had repeatedly emphasized in Brussels that solidarity with Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia, not only had to be promised, but also lived.
Selenski: Thanks to von der Leyen, warning to Poland and Hungary
Nevertheless, Hungary and Slovakia promptly followed Poland’s example. Hungary is “taking its affairs into its own hands to protect its own farmers,” said a government spokesman on behalf of Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy. The transit of Ukrainian grain through Hungary remains permitted.
Acting Slovakian Prime Minister Ludovit Odor said: “We must prevent excessive pressure on the Slovakian market in order to remain fair to local farmers.”
Zelensky addressed the disputes in his daily video message on Friday. He said he thanked EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen for ending trade restrictions. “Europe always wins when contracts work and promises are kept,” emphasized Selenski.
He announced countermeasures should Poland, Hungary and Slovakia – which he did not name – block the export of Ukrainian grain. In view of the Russian naval blockade, such behavior is not in the spirit of good neighborliness, Zelensky criticized.
US confirms Biden’s meeting with Zelensky on Thursday
Ukraine can hope for more support from its most important ally when US President Biden receives the Ukrainian head of state next week. “It will be the third meeting between the two and it comes at a critical time,” said Biden adviser Jake Sullivan.
Before that, Zelenskiy will address the United Nations General Assembly on New York’s East River. Meetings with US Congress members in Washington are also planned. In the Senate, Ukraine has received broad support from both parties since the start of the war, but criticism of the ongoing aid payments has recently increased in the House of Representatives. The Republicans have a slim majority there.
Kiev announces recapture of another town
Meanwhile, Zelensky confirmed the recapture of the town of Andriivka, near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, from the Russian occupiers. The company’s own troops are also active in the neighboring towns of Klischchiivka and Kurdjumovka.
The General Staff had already reported the liberation of Andriivka that morning, after similar reports the day before had turned out to be premature.
Media: Russia’s General Surovikin with delegation in Algeria
According to media reports, Russian General Sergei Surovikin, who was long lost after the Wagner mercenaries’ coup, is said to be in Algeria for negotiations with a delegation from the Ministry of Defense. The trip shows that the military leadership in Moscow attaches greater importance to cooperation with Arab countries and continues to have confidence in Surovikin, the daily newspaper “Kommersant” quoted an informant close to the general.
This is how the Handelsblatt reports on the Ukraine war:
Surovikin was commander in chief of Russian troops in Ukraine from October 2022 to January 2023. He was considered one of the most important allies of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in the Russian army during his power struggle with the Defense Ministry.
Although Surovikin condemned the uprising of Prigozhin’s mercenaries at the end of June, he was no longer seen in public after that. According to media reports, he was removed from his position as head of the Russian Aerospace Forces in mid-August.
Baerbock remains cautious about Taurus delivery
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock remained cautious about Ukraine’s demand for long-range, modern German Taurus cruise missiles. Sensitive questions need to be answered here, “which is not as easy as it might sound at first glance,” said the Green politician after a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Friday.
This Friday she continues her visit to Washington with consultations with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in which continued support for Ukraine is likely to play an important role.
(Photo: dpa)
The exam is intense. Baerbock told the television station Welt that she supported the Chancellor’s stance that decisions should only be made in close cooperation with the USA: “We are working hand in hand with the Americans. That’s why the Americans’ decisions also play a role in this.” We remain in close communication about this, as was the case with the Leopard 2 tanks.
What will be important on Saturday
Fighting continues in Ukraine. Recently, the fighting near Bakhmut in particular has intensified again. It remains to be seen whether the Ukrainian troops will be able to make another advance here.
More: All developments in the Ukraine war in our news blog